Something new is coming to Point Loma: a techie coffee shop.
In the space formerly inhabited by Ballast Point Pub at 1304 Rosecrans St., TechOutfitters, a new hybrid retail experience blending coffee with high-tech, is coming this summer.
TechOutfitters will combine local, craft-roasted coffee drinks with professional mobile device repair services and a retail showroom highlighting emerging technology goods.
Koren Lilburn, TechOutfitters vice president of sales, said the new business venture seeks to accomplish a number of goals.
“We’re going to do a few things, starting with bringing to Point Loma the best craft-roasted coffees being produced in San Diego into a tasting room,” Lilburn said. “In addition, we’ll also be doing mobile device repairs with trained and certified staff. We’ll also have a retail showroom exhibiting emerging global technology brands.”
Mobile devices will be repaired at TechOutfitters in a clean, trustworthy and inviting environment – “perhaps while you enjoy a tasty cuppa Joe from premium roasters like Café Virtuoso and Swell Café,” said Lilburn, adding she and others are looking forward to giving Point Lomans an opportunity to experience emerging consumer electronics, premium brands and unique products with unsurpassed customer service in a modern retail space.
How to make your home “smart,” what technological tools can help students succeed, info about health wearables, educational toys, cool waterproof gadgets and emerging consumer electronics like Hush Smart Earplugs will be showcased at TechOutfitters, Lilburn said.
Jon Linney, newly elected president of Peninsula Community Planning Board, said TechOutfitters’ hybrid concept could be the start of something new in Point Loma’s Roseville neighborhood.
“TechOutfitters, a business coming soon to Dickens and Rosecrans streets, will be even more than a combination sidewalk coffee bar and techno gadget sales and repair store,” Linney said. “It will be an example of how appealing businesses can jump-start walkable districts.”
Lilburn said TechOutfitters will have two primary objectives: becoming a trusted retail advisor that will provide valuable consumer marketing input and building an active virtual community that follows and promotes technology.
“We’ll be using technology to extend our brick-and-mortar impact with our customers, showcasing brand assets and allowing customers to arrange service appointments, pre-order coffee and do in-store pick-up orders complete with customer gift wrapping, if desired,” Lilburn said.
Lilburn said TechOutfitters will be cutting edge.
“There are a number of different mobile accessories being developed for smart devices, everything from cases to Blue Tooth keyboards and speakers to headphones and earbuds and protective glass,” she noted. “There’s an entire ecosystem around smart devices today which make our lives easier.”
“We’re going to be an upscale technology retailer that offers mobile device services as well as providing great local coffees to our Point Loma community,” Lilburn said. “We’re super-excited and will love working with all our neighbors to provide them with new technology that will help them,” Lilburn said.
